Published: November 05, 2009 06:16 pm      

For all the marbles

Westwood, Palestine battle for playoff spot

By SCOTT TYLER

Sports Editor



For five years, the game between Palestine and Westwood has been for bragging rights around the city.

The stakes are much higher this time around.

The cross-town rivalry takes a new step forward Friday night with Westwood and Palestine battling for the lone remaining playoff spot left in District 20-3A. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.

“It makes it an even larger game,” Palestine head coach Booker Bowie said. “These kids have played for bragging rights in the past but now it is for so much more.

“I think it is going to end up being a great thing for the community.”

While there are a handful of scenarios for either team to clinch the playoffs, for Palestine it is simple — a win and the Wildcats are in.

If Palestine wins Friday night, the Wildcats will be the No. 1 small team out of District 20-3A.

“We win and we are in, that is all we are thinking about,” Bowie said. “We still have stayed in a position to control our own destiny.”

Westwood also has to win Friday night to keep its playoff hopes alive, but it could get a little more complicated. Depending on the outcome of the Athens-Brownsboro game Friday, Westwood may have to win by a certain amount to make the playoffs. If Brownsboro wins, Westwood just needs to defeat Palestine to make the playoffs. But if Athens wins, the Panthers must win by 17 or more points to make the playoffs.

“We are going to go out and try to win the game and not worry about the points,” Westwood head coach Kevin Anderson said. “If we win by one point or by 17, it does not matter. All we want to do is win.

“We are just hoping to get a little help from Brownsboro.”

Palestine (3-1, 5-4) was in a position not to have its playoff hopes come down to the last season. But the Wildcats missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot when they lost to Athens last week.

“We have gotten over last week and now are focused on this week,” Bowie said. “It is easier to move on because it is Westwood and it is for a playoff spot.

“We have to be in playoff mode starting this week.”

Westwood (2-2, 5-4) has been in playoff mode starting two weeks ago after the Panthers started district play 0-2. Putting themselves squarely with their backs against the wall, the Panthers have won two straight against Crockett and Fairfield.

“We lost our focus in those first two district games,” Anderson said. “But I felt the kids have refocused and we have done a good job taking it one game at a time.”

Friday night’s game features two of the more prolific offenses in East Texas.

“They are very similar to us offensively,” Anderson said. “We both have skilled position kids all over the field.”

Palestine is averaging over 438 yards and 35 points a game. Westwood is averaging over 363 yards and 28 points a game.

“Westwood has an awesome three like we do,” Bowie said of the offenses.

Palestine’s big three is quarterback Olin Terry, running back Terrance Simon and wide receiver E.J. Spurlock. Terry has rushed and thrown for over 1,000 yards each, Simon has over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns and Spurlock has caught a career-high 36 catches for 545 yards.

Westwood counters with quarterback Tevin Watson, running back Cameron Shead and wide receiver Domanick Turner. Watson has thrown for more than 1,700 yards, Shead has 14 touchdowns and Turner has caught 55 passes for 862 yards.

“Westwood is playing real well right now and they are putting up a lot of points,” Bowie said.

With both teams having high-flying offenses, Friday night’s game may come down to who plays better defense — which has been anything but stellar for both teams.

Anderson has called Westwood’s defense inconsistent as the Panthers have allowed 392 yards a game.

“At times the defense has shown moments but then they relax too much,” Anderson said. “I would like to see us be more consistent and play four good quarters.”

Palestine’s defense has allowed 310 yards and 28 points a game.

“With (Westwood’s) talent it is going to be tough,” Bowie said. “We have to make sure we mix it up on defense and have a good team effort.”

Notes: Palestine has owned the series, winning all five times against Westwood. The last two games have been the closest with the Wildcats getting a 41-38 win in 2007 and 47-44 in 2008. ...Westwood had been more of a first-half team this season, outscoring its opponent 158-110 in the first half. Palestine has been more of a second-half team, outscoring its opponent 158-122 in the second half. ...In last year’s game, Westwood and Palestine combined for 1,019 yards.



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Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com







TEAM STATS



PALESTINE

Team

Offense

First Downs: 187

Rushes-Yards-Avg: 381-2,670-7.0

Passing Yards: 1,275

Total Yards: 3,945

Comp-Att-Int: 84-160-10

Fumbles: 6

Penalties-Yards: 54-462



Opponents

First Downs: 149

Rushing-Yards-Avg: 524-1,900-3.6

Passing Yards: 893

Total Yards: 2,793

Comp-Att-Int: 56-140-10

Fumbles-Lost: 5

Penalties-Yards: 46-342



Individual Stats

Offense

Rushing

Att-Yards-Avg-TD

Olin Terry, 141-1,193-8.46-16; Terrance Simon, 167-1,125-6.74-10; DeCory Chivers, 55-297-5.4-2; E.J. Spurlock, 2-20-10.0-0; Sam Wren, 4-15-3.75-0; Kenneth Green, 4-14-3.5-1; Kyle Cargill, 4-11-2.75-2; Joe Anthony, 2-3-1.5-0; Randal Johnson, 1-(-2)-(-2.0)-0.



Passing

Comp-Att-Yards-Yards/Att-TD

Olin Terry, 83-159-10-1,230-11; Eric Robertson, 1-1-0-45-45.0-0.



Receiving

Catches-Yards-Avg.-TD

E.J. Spurlock, 36-545-15.14-5; Kenneth Green, 23-360-15.65-2; Eric Robertson, 12-226-18.83-2; Kyle Cargill, 4-42-10.5-1; Terrance Simon, 4-15-3.75-0; Devin Venoy, 2-49-24.5-0; Sam Wren, 2-17-8.50-0; Meschach Willliams, 1-32-32.0-1; DeCory Chivers, 1-2-2.0-0.



Scoring

Olin Terry, 96 (16 rushing TDs); Terrance Simon, 64 (10 rushing TD, 2 conversion); E.J. Spurlock, 30 (5 receiving TDs); Travis Atkinson, 29 (1 field goal, 26 PAT); Kenneth Green, 18 (2 receiving TDs, 1 rushing TD); Kyle Cargill, 18 (2 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD); DeCory Chivers, 12 (2 rushing TDs); Eric Robertson 12 (2 receiving TD); Meshach Williams, 6 (1 receiving TD); Eric Martinez, 6 (1 field goal, 3 PAT); Deon Davis, 2 (1 conversion).



Defense

Tackles (Solo-Assist)

Ryan Pardue, 61 (29-32); Sam Wren, 46 (30-16); Bobby Walker, 36 (21-15); Kyle Cargill, 31 (16-15); Kenneth Green, 28 (19--9); Colin Turner, 28 (16-12); E.J. Spurlock, 28 (19-9); Michael Smith, 28 (18-10); Carlos Bryant, 25 (18-7); Jatavian Powell, 20 (6-14); Olin Terry, 17 (11-6); Michael Walker, 14 (8-6); Sammy Calhoun, 13 (7-6); Alex Owens, 11 (6-5); Randle Johnson, 7 (4-3); Dave Simpson, 7 (4-3); Deon Davis, 6 (4-2); Meshach Williams, 3 (3-0); Terrance Simon, 2 (0-2); Booker Winn, 2 (2-0); Wesley Bennett, 2 (1-1); Devin Venoy, 1 (1-0); Derek Chapman, 1 (0-1); Issac Moya, 1 (1-0); Eric Martinez, 1 (1-0); Eric Robertson, 1 (1-0).



Interceptions

Bobby Walker, 3; Olin Terry, 2; E.J. Spurlock, 2; Sam Wren, 1; Kyle Cargill, 1; Carlos Bryant, 1.



Sacks

Sam Wren, 3; Kyle Cargill, 2; Ryan Pardue, 1; Bobby Walker, 1; Colin Turner, .5; Michael Smith, .5.



Fumble Recoveries

Sammy Calhoun, 2; Colin Turner, 1; E.J. Spurlock, 1; Michael Smith, 1; Olin Terry, 1; Ryan Pardue, 1.



Forced Fumbles

Ryan Pardue, 2; Sammy Calhoun, 2; Olin Terry, 1.





WESTWOOD



Team Stats



Offense

First Downs: 142

Rushes-Yards-Yds/Carry: 287-1,468-5.1

Passing Yards: 1,805

Total Yards: 3,273

Comp-Att-Int: 109-167-4

Fumbles-Lost: 28-10

Penalties-Yards: 44-389



Opponents

First Downs: 139

Rushes-Yards-Yds/Carry: 313-2,071-6.6

Passing Yards: 1,464

Total Yards: 3,535

Comp-Att-Int: 92-149-6

Fumbles-Lost: 30-9

Penalties-Yards: 59-524



Individual Stats

Offense

Rushing

Att-Yards-Avg-TD

Cameron Shead, 102-728-7.14-9; Tevin Watson, 126-510-4.05-8; Domanick Turner, 32-176-5.5-3; Rodney Watson, 14-25-1.79-1; Bryce Lyman, 5-17-3.4-0; Nick Morrow, 4-10-2.5-0; Mitchell Coleman, 4-2-0.5-0.



Passing

Comp-Att-Yards-Yards/Att-TD

Tevin Watson, 108-166-4-1,754-14; Bryce Lyman, 1-1-0-51-51.0-1



Receiving

Catches-Yards-Avg.-TD

Domanick Turner, 55-862-15.67-7; Nick Morrow, 18-365-20.28-3; Des’Mone Williams, 14-147-10.5-0; Cameron Shead, 13-224-17.23-5; Bryce Lyman, 6-88-14.67-0; Rodney Watson, 3-31-10.33-0; Aaron Stanhope, 1-15-15.0-0.



Scoring

Cameron Shead, 84 (9 rushing TDs, 5 receiving TD); Domanick Turner, 60 (7 receiving TDs; 3 rushing TD); Tevin Watson, 48 (8 rushing TDs); Tyler Dillon, 36 (3 field goals, 37 PATs); Nick Morrow, 18 (3 receiving TDs); Rodney Watson, 6 (1 rushing TD); Kendrick Reeves, 4 (2 conversion).



Individual Defense

Tackles

Rodney Watson, 66; Domanick Turner, 63; Cameron Shead, 42; Aaron Stanhope, 33; Dustin Brister, 32; Nick Morrow, 30; Mitchell Coleman, 26; Kyle Carroll, 23; Theron Dingas, 23; Travell Jordan, 22; Bryce Lyman, 19; Jacob McKinney, 18; Tevin Watson, 16; Todd Simmons, 11; Bryce Turman, 9; Rico Harris, 9; Tadarius Edwards, 6; Shaun Anderson, 6; Kendall Calhoun, 6; Des’Mone Williams, 6; Dustin Campbell, 4; Kendrick Reeves, 4; Justin Nolen, 2; Dennis O’Bannon, 2; Tyler Linville, 2; Tyler Dillon, 1; Jose Munoz, 1; Thomas Largent, 1.



Interceptions

Nick Morrow, 2; Domanick Turner, 1; Rodney Watson, 1; Tevin Watson, 1; Travell Jordan, 1.



Sacks

Jacob McKinney, 1.



Fumble Recoveries

Jacob McKinney, 2; Dustin Brister, 2; Rodney Watson, 1; Tyler Dillon, 1.



Forced Fumbles

Cameron Shead, 2; Aaron Stanhope, 1.